Florida State was ousted from the College World Series last Monday, losing to in-state rival Miami in an elimination game. And as is tradition after such collegiate contests, players & coaches from both sides met for a post-game handshake.

However, Seminoles coach Mike Martin wasn’t feeling so sociable that evening, so he refused to shake hands with Hurricanes coach Jim Morris.

Sounds like the work of a real sore loser, right? Well, Mike Bianchi of the ORLANDO SENTINEL defends the FSU coach’s post-game snub.

Bianchi brings up the history between the two coaches, as Martin actually gave Morris his first major college job alomsy 30 years ago. However, a long-term friendship soon gave way to bad blood:

Four years ago, during a game against Morris and UM, Martin claims he caught the Hurricanes stealing pitching signs using a clubhouse TV feed and walkie-talkies. Martin became so upset, he charged out of FSU’s dugout and stopped the game for 15 minutes while umpires tried to get to the bottom of the mess.

We didn’t know Bill Belichick dabbled in baseball, too.

And Martin’s not the only one to have issues with Miami’s supposedly shady work. Former Florida coach Andy Lopez “used to complain that he, too, had problems with the way UM conducted its business.” And the NCAA must have found some truth to the rumors, as Miami had been given a two-year probation for illegal recruiting & holding illegal baseball camps.

Miami Hurricanes involved in breaking the law? Shocking!

Most important of all, Martin admits that the brush-off in Omaha wasn’t just a one time occurrence:

“We haven’t shaken hands in years,” Martin said in a phone interview earlier this week. “It’s surprising that people are making something of it now.”

And Bianchi is holy-heartedly behind Mike’s suspension of sportsmanship:

Now I ask you: Why would Martin offer his hand to Morris? If he did, he might never get it back.

Certainly an argument could be made that Martin, a devout Christian, should do what Jesus would do: forgive, turn the other cheek, love your enemies.

But, then again, Jesus also said don’t be a hypocrite and “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”

If Martin is so miffed with Miami, why doesn’t he just boycott every game the Seminoles are forced to face the U?

But it’s the coach’s prerogative to put the kibosh on any post-game handshakes he wants to. And if he wants to look like a poor sport, so be it.

It’s a good example to set to his players - there’s nothing wrong with holding a grudge, even in something as trivial as baseball.